What do you do about time-sensitive opportunities?

[PorcelainLark]

Say you see the opportunity for something to happen but you don't have the skills or capabilities to take advantage of that opportunity, are you better off ignoring it, or adding it to the broader discussion that's happening?

It feels like there's a difference between projects that could take place at any time and projects that are constrained by a narrow time window.

Two examples I'm thinking of are during the Huw Edwards scandal I suggested trying to call into James O'Brien on LBC, and recently I suggested people try applying to be moderators on a particular site.

[BLueRibbon]

While it might not have had widespread reach, I did at least write a detailed article on the Huw Edwards drama.

[Aspire6]

I've been on the lookout for any time-sensitive research opportunities on say VirPed, VoA, here, and other MAP-friendly sites.

[PorcelainLark]

While it might not have had widespread reach, I did at least write a detailed article on the Huw Edwards drama.

That was good, but I feel like if an opportunity like that comes around again we might be able to take greater advantage of it. It was so perfect for illustrating the absurdity of the laws and everyone was talking about it, it could have been a massive win for MAPs while it was still in the limelight. Maybe we need to find a person who is willing to consistently go on radio programs and streams? Like if Fragment had been up for that at that time I think clips could have easily gone massively viral.

I've been on the lookout for any time-sensitive research opportunities on say VirPed, VoA, here, and other MAP-friendly sites.

This is one of the issues I have on the b4um, I'd often miss announcements. As much as I love the b4um, having member promotions and research announcement in the same section isn't a great idea.

Maybe having a separate section for time-sensitive ideas would mean people would be more likely to notice when they're happening (I think sometimes people actually miss them)? You could delete threads when the window of time for the action is passed, so that there isn't as much clutter.

[Fragment]

Are most people actually willing to do any activism, though?

Or just talk about it and use the same arguments to complain about unjust laws they have for decades.

[PorcelainLark]

Are most people actually willing to do any activism, though?

Or just talk about it and use the same arguments to complain about unjust laws they have for decades.

What specific kinds of activism do you have in mind?

My view is:
1. Try to build to a critical mass.
2. Raise money and form an organization to perform strategic litigation in the interests of MAPs.

It feels like there isn't usually enough MAPs in the same place to do the second one. However, with the internet and widespread adoption of cryptocurrency it feels as though it's much less risky to organize like this than it was in the past, so more people might be willing to get involved.

I think anything towards building a critical mass (i.e. gathering MAPs together through publicity stunts) is worthwhile for the time being.

[Fragment]

I don’t really have anything in mind because I’m going to prison.

But, for example, when BLR suggested a very concrete action involving Scottish authorities no one did anything.

I can agree with needing both people and money.

But when calls to action and requests for donations are usually ignored? What’s the actual process for getting people off their asses?

Or are we just gonna spend the next 2 decades arguing trans issues, “are MAPs and LGBT people allies” and various iterations of the contact debate? That’s all our community actually seems interested in. At least amongst those that say they’re interested in activism.

Then you have those that express no interest in all and prefer just looking at legal pics of child actors and talking about the weather or their health problems.

I’m glad I won’t have to try and pretend to care anymore in 2 months (though honestly I stopped pretending to care back in February after my second interview was done).

[PorcelainLark]

But when calls to action and requests for donations are usually ignored? What’s the actual process for getting people off their asses?

Honestly? I don't know.

My only thought is that with a larger amount people, you're more likely to find some people who will be active.

I feel like a lot of people are just dipping their toes in the MAP community for the first time, so once the novelty of talking to other people about the pro/anti contact debate has worn off, the focus can become more practical.